Leatherhead Matters

Hammersmith and Fulham PCT has piloted the use of text messaging to tackle obesity.

It intends to use the scheme across its 26 surgeries from this month.

The west London PCT sent out text messages to almost 1000 patients over the Christmas period, using the iPlato Patient Care Messaging software. It asked them to help update records by texting their weight and height measurements. The surgery then use the data to calculate BMI scores and contact patients about their weight classification.

A text message is sent to each participating patient, after the assessment, which simply says either “No Prob” or, “Fatty“!

Read what they actually do here: E-Health Insider Primary Care